Don't miss out on the famous chicken rice when visiting Hoi An

Chicken rice is one of the most beloved and widely recommended dishes for tourists visiting Hoi An.

The name of the dish is quite straightforward with two main components that can be easily imagined: rice and chicken. However, it's not just about plain chicken pieces or rice grains. Hoi An's chicken rice is enticing due to several factors that travelers cannot resist.

Don't miss out on the famous chicken rice when visiting Hoi An

Hoi An Ancient Town, though modest in size, boasts a rich culinary scene with many exquisite dishes. Visiting Hoi An, stepping into the first narrow alley of the ancient town, you'll encounter numerous chicken rice stalls lining the streets. However, food enthusiasts often whisper about famous addresses like Mrs. Buoi's chicken rice, Mrs. Ty's chicken rice, Mrs. Minh's chicken rice, and more.

Chicken rice comes in two main forms: shredded chicken and chopped chicken thighs. However, they both share common characteristics of firm and fragrant chicken meat. When the dish is served, you'll be mesmerized by its appeal. Chicken thighs with golden skin, tender and firm meat, fragrant sticky rice shining with natural yellow hue, fresh coriander accompanied by finely chopped white onions. A sprinkle of black pepper stimulates the taste buds before the meal. Each plate of rice is accompanied by a bowl of chicken soup simmered with sliced gizzards in sweet broth served with pickled papaya in vinegar. If you prefer it spicy, add a bit of chili sauce. Chili sauce is an additional condiment but carries its own distinct characteristics at each eatery. The spicy sauce complements the rich taste of the chicken perfectly. The dish embodies all the sophistication in the culinary art of Hoi An locals.

To achieve such a perfect plate of rice requires understanding the delicate balance and intricacy of the chef's craft. The chicken is free-range, ensuring its tenderness and delicious aroma. After boiling, the chicken is shredded and mixed with spices, squeezed with onions, and fresh herbs. For the chopped chicken rice, the chef keeps the chicken thigh intact and chops it into small, easy-to-eat pieces.

The most eye-catching aspect of the dish is the golden and fragrant rice. The rice is cooked using carefully selected sticky rice. After rinsing with water, the rice is cooked with chicken broth and pandan leaves. The finished rice has a natural yellow color, shines with glossiness, is smooth and evenly cooked. Slowly chewing each spoonful of rice, travelers can catch a faint, special aroma of chicken. A bowl of chicken soup cooked with sliced gizzards further enriches the rice dish. The sweet and slightly spicy broth with hints of warm ginger. Eating a fragrant piece of chicken with a bit of sticky rice, a hint of sourness from pickled papaya, the crunchiness of onions, and the freshness of newly ground black pepper truly showcases the delicacy of the dish.

Traveling to Hoi An, taking a leisurely stroll along the poetic Hoai River, exploring every nook and cranny of the ancient town, when feeling weary, invite travelers to stop by the roadside chicken rice stalls. This dish has become a distinctive feature of the local people here. It's no wonder that chicken rice is also known as Hoi An street chicken rice.

According to Dân Trí

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour